Page 20 of Stay Toxic

“Never said you can’t. Just that you have to be dragged into it kicking and screaming.”

I roll my eyes.

In truth, she’s summed up our relationship. Tanya tends to be away from dawn to dusk, which doesn’t leave her a lot of time to shop for her necessities. I’ve never minded doing that for her. And on the rare occasions when she has some free time, she makes sure I let loose. For years, that meant sneaking me out of my mother’s house under some random pretense to bring me to a rave, or a frat party, always a little too far for us to know anyone else.

I don’t think I could have kept my sanity if I’d been left back home without her—not after three years of almost freedom.

Almost being the keyword.

“Speaking of, I’d better call it a night,” Tanya says. “I’m off tomorrow, but I can’t afford a hangover.”

“I’ll order you a car,” Sebastian offers, already typing away on his phone. “Are you staying in southie with the rest of the corps?”

Tanya nods. The company’s renting a building in the downtown area, and houses most of their dancers together. Sebastian would know, if he’s part owner.“But you don’t have to order a driver, I can just find one across the road.”

“It’s done,” he says, his tone final. “I only had half a glass, so I’ll drive you two back.”

“Aren’t you the sweetest,” Ari coos, bending across the bar to kiss his cheek.

“Sweet. That’s absolutely me,” he teases.

Ugh, someone poke my eyeball with a damn fork, please. I can’t take these two being lovey-dovey when I can’t seem to stop picturing him doing very bad things to me.

I have to murder the crush I seem to be developing on Sebastian Keller, stat.

Sebastian drives a sexy car, to go with his sexy suit and his sexy damn ass that I can’t stop myself from glancing at again. I know nothing about cars but it’s low, and dark green, with killer curves and a style that makes me think it’s a classic.

It’s a coupé, but there’s enough room for two of us in the passenger seat—mostly because Ari’s tiny. I’m surprised she lets me sit in the middle, close to her boyfriend. Close enough to smell his distinctive perfume—musk and spice and deliciousness. I do my best not to breathe it in.

The drive is silent, and infinitely awkward for me, though Ari happily chats about Giselle again, and Sebastian is the picture of nonchalance.

“You know, you could have told me if you were interested in the ballet,” he remarks casually. “That would have been all your birthdays sorted for the last decade.”

I didn’t realize they’d known each other that long.

“Well I didn’tknowI’d like it, did I?” she retorts. “But you’ve been my bestie forever; you should have worked out I’d enjoy the drama.”

He snorts as wefinallypull into the dorm’s driveway. “True, now that you mention it.”

“Tanya seems cool,” Ari tells me as she waits for Sebastian to open the door for her. “I thought dancers were supposed to be catty and competitive.”

She’s completely at ease with his chivalry, clearly used to it. Somehow, that’s unexpected, given what I saw happening behind closed doors.

“They can be,” I admit. “There are only so many parts, and there’s a constant fight to get the best one. But Ari’s humble by nature; she’s nottryingto be a prima. Plus, just because the corps can be at each other’s throats doesn’t mean she has to be catty to us.”

I flush, because Sebastian’s right there, offering me his hand. Since admitting I might be developing a thing for him, the proximity is both mortifying and heady. I don’t want to be rude, though, so I do take his hand. “Thank you. And thanks for the lift.”

“Any time. Let me know next time you want to go to the theater; no point in letting my box collect dust.”

So we were inhisbox. That explains it.

“Oh…thanks,” I repeat. “It was really nice.”

Sebastian shrugs. “Don’t mention it, Hestia.”

He turns to Ari and winks, before returning to the driver’s seat.

I only remember to breathe properly when his taillights fade at the corner.